In May, some of the Green Salon Collective team travelled to Windsor to take part in the Surfers Against Sewage Paddle Out Protest, joining around one hundred people calling for cleaner rivers and waterways in Windsor, whilst similar protests were happening across the UK.

The protest brought together swimmers, walkers, kayakers, paddleboarders and rowers, all united in raising awareness about the ongoing issue of sewage and pollution in British waterways. It was a powerful reminder of the urgent need to protect our rivers, seas and ecosystems from environmental damage.

Alongside joining the protest, the team also brought along around 20 hair booms to help remove pollution directly from the water while paddling. Hair booms are made using recycled hair clippings collected from Green Salon Collective salons across the UK and Ireland. They work by adsorbing oil and pollutants from the water. Unlike absorbing, where liquid is soaked up internally, adsorbing means the oil particles cling to the surface of the hair fibres.

Fry took to the water towing several hair booms behind his board, helping to collect sludge, oil and other pollutants during the paddle out. Once used, the booms can be wrung out, dried in the sun and reused again, making them a simple but effective circular solution for tackling water pollution!

The 20 hair booms used at the event were estimated to contain hair from around 3,000 to 4,000 haircuts, collected from hundreds of salons that recycle with Green Salon Collective. It is a brilliant example of how salon waste can be transformed into something with real environmental impact.

By recycling with Green Salon Collective, salons are not only reducing waste but also supporting charities and organisations, including Surfers Against Sewage, that are actively working to clean up waterways and fight pollution across the UK.

Every haircut really can make a difference.

Interested in learning more and getting involved? You can contact the team here.